Today's News

Kingston may have finally found a way to put its long-accumulating state highway funds to good use.
Kingston City Council approved a measure at the July 9 full council meeting authorizing Mayor Troy Beets to apply to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for permission to use more than $300,000 in Surface Transportation Program funds — state funds municipalities receive annually, and which Kingston has been saving for three years now — to pave Kentucky Street.
There’s a hitch in using STP funds, however.

25 Years Ago
Roane State Community College students, faculty and staff were introduced to Sherry Hoppe, the college’s interim president. Hoppe took the reins from Cuyler Dunbar, the college’s founding president who accepted the lead role at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, N.C. “I hope to continue being responsive to the community needs — to continue the tradition that Mr. Dunbar has set,” said Hoppe, whose stint at the college was said to be anywhere from six months to a year.

Roane Choral Society has been awarded a $4,100 grant by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

The $4,100 grant is made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.

“This is a very fine performing arts group,” said state Sen. Ken Yager, R-Harriman.

Big projects in small towns are often a sign dedication and teamwork are at play — and the city of Kingston has been cited as a shining example.

As good stewards of grant funding, the city is advancing toward economically sound development in the areas of energy, the environment, water source delivery, recreation and services, ensuring citizens reap the savings and benefits for years to come.

The city’s drive to move ahead has earned it the Tennessee Municipal League’s Small City Progress Award.

Thyme is one of the most popular herbs used in food preparation and medicine. It is interesting to note that it has been thus for many thousands of years.

Thyme is native to most of Europe. It grows wild from Spain to Siberia, especially in the Alpine regions. It came to this country with our earliest settlers and now grows wild in many states. It is the most prolific herb to be found growing wild in the northern regions of the Catskill Mountains.

The start of the 2013 high school football season is more than a month away, but the Kingston Yellow Jackets and Oliver Springs Bobcats are continuing offseason preparation. Part of the preparation took place Friday as both teams participated in 7-on-7 passing scrimmages at Grace Christian Academy.